Dr. Benita Kyser didn’t think anything of the minor accidents that plagued her expedition for the mineral Anglesite in Sardinia, Italy.  However, the company behind the grant funding her expedition insists on hiring security and Sean Turner thus finds himself in Italy.  Sean believes a rabid environmentalist group is behind the incidents- until they return to Gainesville, FL and the problems continue.  The attacks then begin escalating in intensity.  Will Sean uncover the culprit in time?

FRACTURED SOULS is a multilayered story with both an intriguing mystery and a gut-wrenching romance.  T.A. Rigell cleverly teases the reader with snippets of thoughts from the perpetrator of the attacks.  The escalation of the incidents builds the tension while Sean explores the various avenues of investigation.  The potential list of perpetrators is not overly large but Ms. Ridgell carefully guards the identity of the person while sprinkling clues throughout the storyline. 

The characters of Beni and Sean are both well developed.  On the surface, Sean appears the playboy while Beni is the staid college professor.  However, all is not as it would seem and the unfolding of the other aspects of their lives is touching and adds the necessary depth that makes their romance come alive.  The romantic element is not secondary to the mystery but instead stands on equal footing, making this a very strong entry in this particular genre.

Reviewed by Debbie

Copyright © 2006 CK²S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved.

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Posted October 2006